Closure means



E. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Sept. 3, 1940.

Filed Nov. 13, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR if/JCS M12 6 ATTORNEYSept. 3, 1940. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Filed Nov. 13. 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet2 1 Jill ENE)? H N m T T A E. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Sept. 3, 1940.

Filed Nov. 13. 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [/1113 Z? M11 0 Sept. 3,1940. E. E. WHITE 2,213,601

CLOSURE MEANS Filed Nov. 13, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 inllllllll IllllllllIll IHHHI E. E. WHITE 2,213,601 CLOSURE MEANS Filed Nov. 13, 1937 8Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. k 3 ATTQRNEY.

BY ZMS .5." W176 WMY Sept. 3, 1940.

E. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Sept. 3, 1940.

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR All? ATTORNEY.

Filed NOV. 15, 1937 lam-32W BY E. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Sept. 3, 1940.

8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. Wife ATTORNEY.

Filed Nov. 13, 1937 E. E. WHITE CLOSURE MEANS Sept. 3, 1940.

WNN

m /E\ u 7 INVENTOR. BY r- /j5 WZYJ Q ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 3, 1940 STATES ATE 19 Claims.

The present invention relates to closed bodies for vehicles such asautomobile bodies and is more particularly directed to adjustablyretractable roofs for such closed bodies, of the type that may becompletely or partially opened, at will, to expose the interior ofthe'body to the atmosphere.

Many previous attempts have been made to provide removable orretractable roofs for closed vehicle bodies, but few of them have beensuccessful because of certain difficulties and disadvantages inherent intheir construction. Such disadvantages consisted, frequently, inweakening the vehicle body as well as the roof'itself, thereby providinga structure subject to wear and easy breakage and one increasinglysubject. to damage in case of accident; in difiiculty to open or shutthe roof as and when desired; in difiiculty to provide Weather-tightclosures when the roof was completely closed; in difficulty of providingtight, rattleproof construction, and in the complexity of the roofmoving and closing mechanism which made it unsightly and subject tofrequent breakdowns.

The present invention contemplates the elimination of thesedisadvantages and the provision of a retractable and adjustable roof ofsimple construction, inherent strength and ease of operation, and whichpossesses many other advantages and desirable features which willhereinafter be fully described and set forth.

The present invention contemplates the provision of vehicle bodyadjustable roofs of unitary or telescoping resilient construction,longitudinally flexible and retractable into the rear of the vehiclebody, occupying little space therein, which are readily and easilyoperable from the operators seat, within the vehicle, by means of aningenuous arrangement of combined locking means and automaticallyoperated switches for the roof operating motor.

The present invention further contemplates the provision of weatherproofsealing means for the retractable roof which will simultaneously act tomake the roof structurally tight and rattleproof either when open orclosed.

A further improvement contemplated by the present invention is theprovision of locking means which will simultaneously lock the roof inclosed position and adjust the weatherproofing means in weather-tight,rattleproof position without having the latter operation interfere withthe former.

The structural details by which the accomplishment of the above objectsis contemplated are simple, having comparatively few and simple partswhich operate without difliculty and without any tendency to get easilyor frequently out of order, and which are susceptible of beingincorporated intothe vehicle body in'compact and neat arrangement and inharmony in finish and a appearance with the rest of the vehicle body.

Further objects of my invention will be apparent from the descriptionwhich follows and fro-m the accompanying drawings, whereinseveralembodiments of the present invention are disclosed, and in which Fig. lis a diagrammatic side elevational View, partly in section, of a Vehiclebody provided with a retractable roof of the present invention andshowing the'r'elative positions of the roof actuating and the rooflocking mechanisms.

Fig. 2 is a rear end View of the vehicle body shown in Figure 1, partlybroken away and in section, illustrating roof Winding means and mountingtherefor and the weather and rattleproofing 2;) means for the roof.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a closed automobile body with theroof entirely removed, showing details of the body construction toillustrate its strength and rigidity.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in side elevation and partly insection, of the rear end of the vehicle body shown in Figure 1,illustrating, in detail, the roof winding mechanism and its motivatingmeans.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the rear end of the vehicle body, partlybroken away and partly in section, to show details of the mounting andoperating means of the roof winding mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View, partly broken 35 away, taken alongline 6-6 of Fig. 14 showing details of the mechanism for guiding and forlocking the roof in closed position to make it weather-tight andrattleproof.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view take along line l-l of Figure 6.

Fig. 8 is a similar View taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Fig; 9 is a similar View taken along line 99 of Figure 6. 45

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan View of one corner of the roof of thepresent invention and the means for receiving the forward edge thereof.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line H-ll of Figure 6 showingthe weather and rattleproofing construction in loose position.

Fig. 12 is a similar view of the same when in closed and tightenedposition,gwith the roof in closed position.

Fig. 13 is a similar view of the same showing details of rattleproofingand weatherproofing when the roof is retracted.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary top plan View of the vehicle body showing,diagrammatically, the retractable roof in closed position, the permanentpart of the roof being partly broken away to illustrate the arrangementof the roof locking mechanism and the forward switches for the motor.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged top plan View of the front part of Figure 14,partly broken away to show, in greater detail, the roof locking andtightening mechanism of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view taken along line l8-l6 of Figure 14 to show the relation of the locking mechanism to theinterior of the vehicle.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged, detailed view of the roof engaging cam of theroof locking mechanism, showing the same when the roof is fully closedbut before it is tightened for weather and rattleproofing.

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the vehicle body, partly broken away,illustrating, diagrammatically, a modified reinforced retractable roofand an improved, grooved guiding channel thereof.

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of a body having theroof embodiment and guiding channel therefor shown in Fig.18.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View, in detail, of themodified guiding channel shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary end view, partly broken away, of thesame.

Fig. 22 is a top plan view of a fragment of a modified, transverselyreinforced roof.

Fig. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same taken along line23-23 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary View in perspective of another modified form ofroof of the present invention, transversely reinforced by means of ribs.

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic representation of the electric circuits forthe reversible motor to open and close the roof. Fig. 26 is a view inside elevation, and partly in section showing the arrangement andconstruction of an embodiment of the master switch and the frontauxiliary switches for operating a roof moving motor.

Fig. 27 is an end view of the auxiliary switch shown in Fig. 26 takenalong line 21-27 thereof.

Fig. 28 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2828 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 29 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2229 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 30 is a vertical sectional View taken along line 30-36 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 31 is a diagrammatic view of a modified embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a winding drum is eliminated.

The retractable roof of the present invention is particularly adaptable,although not limited, for use on vehicle bodies of the unitary weldedsteel construction, such as is in prevalent use today on motor passengervehicles and as illustrated and generally designated in the drawings bythe numeral 4!).

Such body construction may be made with substantially the entire centraltop portion thereof eliminated, providing a roof opening 42, which may,preferably, extend from the front of the top of the body to a pointrearwardly of the back seats thereof, leaving as permanent portions theside roof edges M and the front roof edge 46 which joins and braces thesides of the car and may be continuous with the top of the windshieldframe 48.

To the rear, the body is provided with a rear wall 56 which connects andbraces the side walls and which, together with the front and side roofedges 44 and 35 respectively, may be suitably reinforced to compensatefor the lack of a complete roof structure.

Ihe rear wall may be streamlined to slope rearwardly, to provide a spacein back of the rear seats wherein may be provided a compartment 52within which may be housed a winding drum ii l, mounted rotatably bymeans of axles 56, extending from the sides of the drum 5 3 andjournaled in brackets 58 suitably secured on the side walls of thecompartment 52.

Either or both manual and mechanical means for turning the drum may beprovided. I prefer to provide a combined manual and mechanical drumturning means which may comprise a motor 60 preferably a reversiblemotor, and preferably an electric motor, which may be positioned withinthe compartment 52. The motor shaft 62 may carry a worm gear 64 whichengages operatively a gear wheel 66 mounted on one of the axles andfixedly secured to the contiguous drum side. The shaft 62 may beextended beyond the worm and provided with a squared end 68 which may beengaged by a winding key, not thought necessary to be here shown, bymeans of which the drum may be manually turned.

Passing into the compartment 52, directly underneath the rear wall 50and secured to the drum, in any desirable and suitable manner, such asby the bolts or rivets it, is the rear edge of a rectangular retractableroof member 72. Such roof member l2 may be of sufiicient length to reachto the front end of the opening 42 when it is substantially completelyunwound from the drum and of a width slightly less than the width of theroof opening 42, for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

The roof member 12 may be made of any suitable material, preferably of astrong, resilient material, and of unitary, telescoping, articulated orlaminated construction, provided it has sufficient rigidity to beadvanced forwardly when it is unwound from the drum and possessessufficient longitudinal flexibility to be wound thereon. A preferredtype of such roof member may comprise thin sheet steel, preferablyspring steel and preferably provided with an inherent outward curvesomewhat in conformity with the upper body curve, which sheet steel maybe covered on one or both sides with weatherproofing layers, such as ofelectroplated or bonded rubber and with the necessary coat or coats ofpaint, lacquer or the like. The natural curve of the spring sheet steelcomprising the roof member 72 will give the roof member a tendency toassume, of its own accord, a halfway open position, and thus relieve thedriving motor of the greater part of the torque of starting, in eitherdirection.

Within the compartment are also provided a plurality of idlers to keepthe roof member snugly on the winding drum as it is wound thereon and toprevent its buckling when unwound therefrom. Such idlers may comprisesuitably bent and adjusted leaf springs l' i secured by one end to thecompartment walls and carrying on the free end a roller it; adapted torest against the drum surface.

Provided in the vehicle body as a permanent part thereof are guidingmeans and supporting means for the roof member, the latter beingnecessary because the roof member 12 is disposed within the roof opening12 and is of lesser width than the latter. Such guiding and supportingmeans may preferably be combined in a unitary structure along the sideedges of the roof opening and may comprise a substantially Z-shaped barsupported from the underside of the side edges 34 by its horizontalflange I8 and having a vertical connecting wall 8!] and a lowerhorizontal or supporting flange 82, directed inwardly into the bodyspace, underneath the roof opening 42. The flange 82 may support aU-shaped member resting thereon on one of its sides 84 having aconnecting side 86 substantially parallel to and shorter than thevertical side 81] of the Z bar, and an upper side member 88,substantially parallel to and shorter than its lower side 84.

The walls 80, 84 and 88 of the 2 bar and the U-shaped member,respectively, define a substantially rectangular guiding channel 90 withan opening 92 in its upper surface formed between the inner edge of theside 88 and the wall 8E, which opening communicates with the spaceprovided between the side edges 44 of the body and the edges of the roofmember 12, and permits the passage therethrough of forwardly anddownwardly directed arms 94 extending from a wedge-shaped edge piece 96,preferably of metal, and preferably also rubber covered, carried on thefront edge of the roof member I2. The arms 94 may carry on their freeends a fixed horizontal pin 98 on which may be rotatably mounted rollers99 which are supported and guided within the channels BI! to facilitateand direct the movement of the roof I2.

The upper surface of the side 88 of the U- shaped member serves as asupport for the edge of the roof I2, and it may be coated with a layerof resilient material Hill, which may preferably comprise rubber,preferably of the sponge variety or the like, to serve as a sound orrattleproofing layer between the roof and the support 88 and tocooperate with a crimp or bead I 82 which may be provided along the edgeof the roof to form a weatherproof seal when the roof is in taut, closedposition.

A seat for the front edge of the roof may be provided at the front ofthe body by securing a substantially rectangular trough or channelmember I04 secured by one of its sides in transverse position below thefront edge of the body 46, its open side facing rearwardly. Within thetrough member I04 there may be provided a resilient, waterproof cushionI66, preferably of rubber and preferably shaped to nest the front edgepiece of the roof in sealed, weather and rattleproof relation, when theroof is in locked, closed position.

The guiding channels 9B may extend for a substantial distance forward ofthe rear end of the front roof edge 46 and below it, the floor of theguiding channel having the portion in advance of the trough member I04partly cut away as at I31, to expose part of the roller 99 forengagement by the roof locking means to be hereinafter described. Attheir forward ends the channels 90 may be closed by a wall III! to braceand support the sides of the channel against collapsing.

Positioned party over each side edge and partly over each roof edge is amolding or weather strip H2 anchored on the rear wall 50 at a pointbelow the roof opening 42, as at IM, and extending along the entirelength of the roof opening. Such molding or weather strip may com,-prise, preferably, a substantially semi-circular hollow metal strip IIBwhich may retain by means of inwardly, turned flanges H8 a. resilientfilling or cushion I20, preferably of rubber, and preferably spongerubber, or similar resilient, waterproof material. The front end of themolding I I6 may terminate by tapering or otherwise into a flat metalstrip or ratchet I22 having ratchet openings I24 adapted to engage gearteeth, which ratchet extends into and is guided by a channel I25,provided for the purpose, below the front roof edge 46.

It is apparent that when the molding is pulled taut, it will form acompletely sealed weatherproof and rattleproof closure between the edgesof the retractable roof member I2 and of the permanent roof edges 44. Insuch position the molding will press downwardly, the resilient cushionIZU pressing downwardly upon the roof member and upon the roof edge,which may be provided with a slightly upturned lip I28 that will I pressinto the resilient cushion I20 which will also expand into the trough ofthe crimp I02 and will press its ridge into the resilient layer I00,forming airtight waterproof and rattleproof seals at the three points.

When the roof is retracted, similar and similarly effective sealing willbe provided between the molding filling I20 on the one hand and the lip-I28 and the resilient layer IOU on the other, preventing noise andrattling and the accumulation of dust, grit or moisture within thechannels 90.

Certain variations and modifications in the construction of the roofmember I2 and its guiding means may be made to improve its strength andtransverse rigidity and to facilitate its movement. Thus the roof membermay be provided with transverse ribs I30 as shown in Fig. 24, or withtransverse corrugations Q32 as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, such ribs orcorrugations extending transversely along the central portion of theroof member, the edges of the same remaining free of them, in order notto interfere with the sealing closures made between the roof and themolding.

The reinforcement of the roof member may also be accomplished by meansof a plurality of transverse bracing bars or strips I34 secured,preferably, to the underside of the roof member.

These rods or strips may serve to support additional rollers I36operating within the guiding channels St. The channels may also beprovided with roller seats I38 which may slope gently downwardly towardthe front and may be positioned in the channel floors in staggeredrelation, to cooperate and receive rollers which are also fixed instaggered relation. Thus, in Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21, two sets ofauxiliary rollers and two sets of cooperating seats are shown, the frontrollers and front seats being shown spaced farther apart than the rearones, so that as the roof is moved forward from an open position orbackward from a closed position, the front rollers will not fall intothe rear seats.

Combined means, either mechanically or hy-' draulically operated, tolock the roof member in closed position and to draw the molding taut, toseal the roof closure, may be provided at the front of the bodyinterior, within reach of the vehicle operator. A mechanical embodimentof the locking means is illustrated, and may comprise a transverselypositioned jack shaft I40 journaled in bearings I42 on side brackets I44carried on the underside of the front roof edge 46 and on the upper setof forked arms N6 of a centrally secured bracket Hi3. Fixed on the jackshaft between the arms I48 is a gear wheel I50 which meshes operativelywith a gear segment I52 having an operating handle I 54 carried on ashaft I 56 journaled, preferably, in a second lower and longer pair ofarms I58 of the central bracket I48.

Secured on each end of the jack shaft, outwardly oi the brackets, inposition to engage with its teeth the openings in the molding ratchet2'22 are a pair of gear wheels I 60 which may be secured on the end ofthe shaft by means of a stud pin I62 passing through the gear hub I 6Mounted on each molding engaging gear I50, exteriorly thereof, is a camdisc I66 which may be retained on the gear by a short shaft I68 nestingin the opening of the hub It l and one or more pins IIil passing throughone or more slotted openings I12 in the molding gear I68, the pinshaving heads IN to retain the cam disc I66 upon the gear I60.

The cam disc I66 is provided with a curved or cam slot I76, its outerportion being slightly flattened, as at ill, to give a cam effect, andits inner portion being completely circular, the rear edge of the slotforming a substantially sharp lip I I8 and its forward edge a curvedsubstantially blunt shoulder 989.

The various gears and discs carried by the jack shaft I48 are so fixedin position in relation to one another that when the operating handle Hil is in the extreme rearward position, the roof is unlocked and themolding in loose contact with it, the lip I18 of the cam disc M6 beingdirectly below the rear edge of the cut out portion of the channel. atresting on a shelf E82 depending from the supporting flange 82 of theZ-bar, which may be provided for the purpose.

The manner of operation of the locking and sealing means is as follows:

When the roof is to be closed the handle I 1 is pulled back, the moldingM2 is thus loosened, and the slot W6 is brought around to have its mouthimmediately below the channel opening I97, and the pin i'ifl restsagainst the forward end of the slot I32. As the roof moves into closedposition, the roller strikes against the shoulder Hit of the cam slot,tilting the cam disc forward, until the pin I'm rests against the rearend of the slot I32 and the lip I18 is thereby raised above the channelfloor behind the forward roller 99, thereby preventing any retraction ofthe roof. This is automatically done, without turning the jack shaft I46or moving the handle E5 1. The locking means is now in the positionshown in Fig. 6.

The handle I54 is then pushed forward, the cam and molding gears 266 andE65, respectively, being turned counterclockwise. During the first partof the forward movement the flattened portion 57'. of the cam slot Il'iiacts to tighten the roof. Simultaneously, the molding gear I69 pulls themolding H2 tightly in place. During the latter part of the forwardmovement, the roof position is not changed any further because of thecircular shape of the last part of the cam slot Ilia; only the moldinggear I60 acts on the molding strip I22 to pull the molding I H2 tighteragainst the roof, as far as possible. Means, of any desirable type suchas the spring clasp I83, may be provided to engage the handle I54 whenit is in extreme forward position, to prevent its being accidentallyloosened.

Conversely, when the roof is to be opened, the handle IE6 is pulledrearwardly. The gears I60 turn clockwise to loosen the molding H2, and,lagging slightly behind the said gears I60, the cam discs 56% turn torelease the rollers 99 and at the end of the turn when the rollers areabove the edge lit, the shoulders I89 push the roller baokwardly toloosen the roof member and start its rearward movement, thus relievingthe roof moving motor of the starting torque.

Means for controlling the operation and direction of the reversiblemotor 69 and the movement of the roof, automatically and simultaneouslywith the movement of the handle I54 to lock or release the roof, may bereadily provided with the locking mechanism of the present invention andits arrangement. Such means may comprise a double electric circuit, oneto drive themotor forward, to close the roof, and the other to drive itin reverse, to retract it. The two circuits may be controlled by threeswitches, a master switch designated in the diagrammatic representationof the circuit given in Figure 25 as :85, and a pair of auxiliaryswitches, one positioned preferably near the motor, and preferablyadapted to be operated directly by the roof 72, designated as 356, andone positioned at the front of the vehicle, and operable preferably bythe movement of the handle 554i, the last switch being designated in thedrawings as I228.

The rear auxiliary switch I86 may be, preferably, of the toggle type andmay be positioned preferably back of the roof opening 42, at such apoint where it may be tripped by lugs or other suitable devices I98 andI92, respectively positioned near the rear end and the front end of theroof member, preferably at or adjacent one of its edges. The rear lugI98 may be so placed that when the roof is in closed position it willtrip the toggle switch to close the motor reversing circuit but will notpass the toggle switch arm, so as to avoid reversing the switch at thecommencement of the roof retracting movement. Similarly, the front lugI92 is so placed upon the roof that when the roof is fully opened itwill trip but not pass the toggle switch to close the second circuit fordriving the roof forward.

The master switch I84 may be positioned under the front roof edge 46,adjacent the bracket I48, and may comprise a simple push button switch,or one similar to it, designated as I94, with the button Hi6 dependingand adapted to be pushed upwardly to close the circuit within the switchwhen the arm I 54 is completely drawn back, by means of a cam i98,carried on the gear segment shaft I55 externally of the central bracketarms I 58 and rotatable with such shaft, to have the switch I 84 openedwhen the arm I 54 is moved away from such extreme back position.

The second auxiliary switch I88 may be a rotary switch mounted on an arm20!] secured to the bracket arm I58 and comprising a circular insulatedbox 262, with four contact members 266 contacting the four binding posts208 which are equally spaced on the circumference of the box. The box202 may have a central opening 2I 0 within which is rotatably positioneda rotating member 2I2, having a brush 2M adapted to contact,intermittently, the contact members 2%, the said brush being inelectrical connection with the binding post ZIB by means of a screw ZIBand a leaf spring 220 which contacts the screw. The rotating member 2I2carries a ratchet 222 which contacts a pawl Z24 carried in a block 226fixed on a shaft 228 which is co-.

extensive and rotatable with the shaft I56. The pawl may be pressedagainst the ratchet by means of leaf spring 230, secured to the surfaceof the block. Each two alternating contact members 2H5 are within thesame circuit, one pair in the roof closing circuit and one pair in theroof opening circuit and each contact member is adapted, by itself, toclose the circuit within which it is connected.

The operation of the above described circuits and switches may beexplained as follows:

Assuming that the roof is closed and locked in place, the handle E54being in forward position, against the windshield G8. The reartoggleswitch has been thrown during the closing of the roof, by the rear lugI90, to close the reverse circuit for opening the roof.

The front switch is still set with its brush 2! contacting a contactmember 206 within the forward roof closing circuit, and the masterswitch is open.

It is now desired to open the roof. For that purpose it is necessary torelease the rollers from the cam slots I16 by moving the handle H54 backto its extreme backward position. Such movement of the handle turns theblock 226 and the pawl 224 which engages the ratchet 222 and turns thebrush 2M to bring it in contact with the next contact member 203 whichis in the reversing circuit, for opening the roof. The backward movementof the handle, when it is completed, also closes the master switch I84and. the

reversing circuit is now completely closed at all three points. tooperate toretract the roof.

When the roof is completely opened, the front lug I92 will trip thetoggle of the switch I86 to break the reversing circuit at that pointand to close the forward circuit. The motors will stop, although themaster switch is still closed, because the front switch will stillremain in the reversing circuit. The handle will now be moved forward totighten the weather strip II2, thus breaking the circuit at the masterswitch. This forward movement of the handle will not affect the frontswitch because the ratchet I22 will not be engaged by the pawl 224 butwill slip by it, and the front switch will still remain in the reversingcircuit, until the handle is moved back again to release the motor inpreparation for closing the roof. The last backward movement of thehandle will move the front switch I88 again to set it for forwardmovement in readiness to operate the motor forwardly when the masterswitch is closed, when the backward movement of the handle is completed.

It will be apparent that the principles and elements entering into thepresent invention include a movable roof which is retractable to therear part of the vehicle body to leave a roof opening, and that tosupport and guide this roof there are provided combined supporting andguiding means in the roof opening which also operate to retain the roofin place against removal. These supporting and guiding means cooperatewith weatherproofing means on the exterior of the vehicle body to sealits interior against wind and rain when the roof is closed and to makethe removable roof substantially noise and rattleproof. Cooperating withthe foregoing elements there are locking means which serve to lock theroof when it is in closed position and simultaneously to adjust theweatherproofing strip to described above may be made.

The motor, therefore, will begin efiective position, the lockingmechanism being provided with means to create a lag in time betweenthelocking of the roof and the tightening of the weather strip toprevent the latter from interfering with the former. The invention alsoincludes means for moving the roof-which are controllable and operablepartly by the roof itself and partly by the operation of the rooflocking means.

Within the scope of the foregoing broadly described elements andprinciples of the invention, many variations in the practical embodimentThe roof may be varied from a unitary construction to an articulated ortelescoped one. The retracting means for the roof may also be varied.The winding drum, for instance, may be eliminated, as shown,

diagrammatically, in Figure 31, where the roof just slides back into thestreamlined rear portion of the body and where the roof motivating meansconsists of a motor and a gear wheel 232 on the motor, which engagessuitable teeth or the specific arrangement of the roof locking mechanismand its parts. be protected for any such variation of the presentinvention which may be made by the'mere ap: plication of mechanicalskill and within the spirit and scope of the present invention and theclaims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. A closure for a structure having a rooi memher with an openingtherein, comprising a closure member adapted to be movably disposedwithin the said opening, Wcatherproofing means over-1 lapping contiguousand spaced edges of the roof member adjacent said opening and of theclosure member and adapted to be adjustably held against the saidcontiguous edges and touching same, means for moving the closure memberin and out of the said opening and means for locking and releasing theclosure member and simultaneously controlling the said closure membermoving means.

2. A closure for a structure having a roof member with an openingtherein, comprising a movable closure member retract-ably disposed"within the said opening, means for moving the said closure member inand out of the said opening and Weatherproofing means overlappingcontiguous but spaced edges of the, roof member adjacent said openingand of the closure member and adapted to touch and to be ad- I desire,therefore, tov

justably pressed against the said contiguous edges.

3. A closure'for a structure having a roof member with an openingtherein, comprising a longitudinally flexible and transversely rigidclosure member movably disposed within the said opening, a supportmember secured to said roofing member and projecting into said openingarranged under said closure member and adapted to support same, meansfor advancing the said closure member into and retracting it from thesaid opening and weatherproofing means overlapping contiguous but spacededges of the roof member adjacent said opening and the closure member.and adapted to be adjustably pressed against the said contiguous edges.

4. A closure for a structure having a roof member with an openingtherein, comprising an arched, longitudinally flexible, transversely'rigid closure member movably disposeclfwithin the opening andweatherproofing means overlapping contiguous but spaced edges of theroof -member adjacent said opening and. the closure member and adaptedto be adjustably pressed against the said contiguous edges. f

5. A closure for a structure having a roof member with an openingtherein, comprising a closure member movably disposed within the saidopening, means for moving the said closure member to advance it into andto retract it from the said opening, weatherproofing means overlappingconti uous and spaced edges of the roof adjacent said opening and theclosure member, and adapted to be adjustably pressed against the saidcontiguous edges, means for locking the closure member'againstretraction from the opening when fully advanced therein, means to adjustthe pressure of the weatherproofing means against the said contiguousedges and means for simultaneously actuating the said closure lockingmeans and the said pressure adjusting means.

6. A closure for a structure having a roof member with an openingtherein, comprising a closure member movably disposed within the saidopening, reversible actuating means for the closure member adapted toadvance and retract the closure member within the said opening,weatherproofing means overlapping contiguous and spaced edges of theroof adjacent said opening and of the closure member and adapted to beadjustably pressed against the said edges,- means for locking theclosure member in position when fully advanced within the said opening,means to adjust the pressure of the weatherproofing means against thesaid edges and means for simultaneously actuating the said locking meansand pressure adjusting means and controlling the closure memberactuating means.

7. In a vehicle body having a roof member and an opening in said roofmember, a closure member movably disposed within the said opening,guiding and supporting means for the closure member disposed alongopposed edges of the roof adjacent said opening and projecting into saidopening, guiding members on. the closure member cooperating with theguiding and supporting means and engaging the same to prevent removal ofthe closure member from the opening, and weatherproofing meansoverlapping contiguous edges of the said roof adjacent the opening andthe said closure member and adapted tobe adjustably pressed against thesaid edges.

8. In a vehicle body having a roof member, and an openingin said roofmember, a closure member movably supported within said opening,weatherproofing means fixed at one end to the vehicle body and extendingover opposed edges of the roof adjacent the opening and adapted tooverlap contiguous and spaced edges of the closure member, and adaptedto be adjustably held against said edges, means for engaging the otherend of the weatherproofing means to adjust the said weatherproofingmeans over the said contiguous edges, means for engaging the closuremember when fully advanced within the opening to lock it therein againstretracting therefrom, and means for simultaneously operating saidweatherproofing engaging mean and said closure engaging means.

, 9. In a vehicle body havinga roof member and an opening in the saidroof member, a closure member movably disposed within said opening andadapted-to be advanced and retracted therein, combined guiding andsupporting means for said closure member disposed along opposed edges ofthe roof member adjacent said opening and comprising a channel and ashoulder partly overhanging said channel, means for retaining saidclosure member on the supporting means comprising guiding elements onthe closure member extendiir into the channel and engaging the shoulderagainst lateral withdrawal from the channel, closure locking meansadapted to engage said guiding elements when the closure is fullyadvanced within the opening thereby to revent its retraction therein.

I 10. In a vehicle body having a roof and an opening in the said roof, aclosure member movably disposed within said opening and adapted to beadvanced and retracted therein, combined guiding and supporting meansfor said closure member disposed along opposed edges of the said openingand comprising a channel and a shoulder partly overhanging said channel,means for retaining said closure member on the supporting meanscomprising guiding elements on the closure member extending into thechannel and engaging the shoulder against Withdrawal from the channel,weatherproofing means fixed at one end to the said vehicle body andextending over opposed edges of the roof adjacent said opening-andadapted to overlap contiguous edges of the closure member spaced fromsaid roof edges and to be adjustably held against said edges, means forengaging the other end of the weatherproofing means to adjust the saidWeatherproofing means over the said contiguous edges, closure lockingmeans adapted to engage said guiding elements when the closure is fullyadvanced within the opening thereby to prevent its retraction therein,and means for operating said weatherproofing engaging means andsimultaneously operating the said closure member locking means to locksaid closure in Weatherproof arrangement with said roof.

11. In a vehicle body having a roof with an opening, and a closuremember movably disposed within said opening, Weatherproofing meansoverlapping contiguous but spaced edges of' the roof adjacent saidopening and the said closure member and adapted to be adjustably pressedagainst the said edges, said weathe-r' proofing means having a resilientmember, and means 'on the closure and on the edge of the roof adjacentsaid opening adapted to contact and be pressed into the said resilientmember upon adjustment of the waterproofing means.

12. In a vehicle body having a roof and an opening in the roof, aflexible member substan- 'tially rigid in its longitudinal plane oflesser width than the opening movably arranged therewithin, a reversiblyrotatable drum arranged adjacent said opening, said closure member beingsecured by one end to said drum and adapted to be wound on and unwoundfrom said drum whereby said closure member may be pushed into andWithdrawn from said roof openings, means for supporting and guiding saidclosure member arranged Within said opening along parallel sides thereofand Weatherproofing means arranged above said supporting and guidingmeans adapted to overlap contiguous edges of the roof opening and theclosure member and to be adjustably held thereagainst.

13. In a vehicle body having a roof and an opening in the roof, aflexible closure member substantially rigid in its longitudinal planemovably arranged within the said roof opening, reversible means forpushing the said closure member into and retracting it from the saidopening arranged adjacent one end thereof, means for guiding andsupporting longitudinal edges of the closure member arranged within thesaid opening, said guiding and supporting means comprising a guidingchannel having a shoulder partly overhanging the same, said shouldersupporting the edges of the closure member, a roller at each forwardcorner of the closure member reciprocating within the said channel andengage ing the underside of the shoulder against removal from thechannel, weatherproofing means arranged above the said supporting meansand adapted to overlap contiguous edges of the roof opening and theclosure member, means at the forward edge of the roof opening forengaging the said rollers when the closure is in advanced position tolock the same against withdrawal, means for engaging the forward end ofthe weatherproofing means to adjustabiy press the weatherproofing meansagainst the said contiguous edges and unitary means for successivelyoperating the said locking means and the said weatherproof adjustingmeans.

14. In a vehicle body having a roof, an opening in the roof, a closure.member in the said opening, guiding means for the said closure memberincluding a roller at the forward end thereof and weatherproofing meansoverlapping contiguous edges of the said closure member and the saidopening secured to the roof by its rear end and having a rack at itsfree end, means for locking the said closure member and simultaneouslyand successively adjusting the said weatherproofing means into weathersealing position comprising a rotatable shaft arranged transversely ofthe said opening adjacent the forward end thereof, a cam slotted discfixed on the said shaft and adapted to be turned to receive and hold thesaid roller and a gear wheel fixed on the said shaft and engaging thesaid rack and means for rotating the said shaft.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein the slot is eccentrically formedthroughout the forward portion thereof, whereby the closure is lockedand drawn taut and is circular throughout the remaining portion thereofwhereby the said shaft may be turned to further tighten theweatherproofing means without further moving the closure member.

16. In a vehicle body having a roof opening and a retractable closurefor said opening, said 010- sure having rollers at its forward end,means for locking the closure within the opening comprising a rotatablemember having an eccentric slot, said slot adapted, upon rotation of thesaid rotary member, when the closure is in advanced position within theopening, to engage the said roller and draw it forward, to thereby drawthe closure taut and lock it in position.

17. In a vehicle body having a roof opening and a closure for theopening, combined means for supporting the said closure Within theopening and for weather sealing the space'between the closure and theopening comprising a guiding channel arranged within the openingalongside an edge thereof, said channel having a shoulder adapted tosupport the edge of the closure, a resilient waterproof layer arrangedon the said shoulder, a crimp formed on the edge of the closure adaptedto rest on the said resilient layer, an upwardly extending bead formedon the edge of the roof opening, a weatherproof member arranged on theroof and adapted to overlap the said bead and the said closure crimp,said weatherproofing member having a waterproof resilient contactingsurface, said weatherproofing member being fixed by one end adjacent oneend of the roof opening and adjustable means engaging the other endthereof whereby it may be adjustably pressed against the said bead andthe said crimp to form a rattle and weatherproof seal between the roofopening and the closure member.

18. The structure of claim 17 wherein the adjustable means for engagingthe free end of the weatherproof member comprises a rack on the free endof the weatherproof member, a rotatably mounted gear wheel engaging thesaid rack and means to rotate the said gear wheel.

19. A closure for a structure having a longitudinally curvedsubstantially convex roof member with an opening therein comprising aclosure member of spring-like material and provided with an inherentsubstantially convex curve in the same direction as the roof memberwhereby said closure member tends to be self-opening, said closuremember being adapted to be movably disposed within said opening andmeans for moving the closure member in and out of said opening.

ELLIS E. WHITE.

